Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

edmund Gosse's poem "Leconte de Lisle; July 17, 1894" serves as both a tribute and a eulogy to the French poet Charles-Marie-Rene Leconte de Lisle, a prominent figure in the Parnassian poetic movement, which often sought to achieve artistic beauty and perfection in form. In this composition, Gosse not only commemorates the poetic virtues of Leconte de Lisle but also provides a hypothetical apotheosis, imagining a posthumous journey for the departed poet that reflects his artistic ideals.

The poem begins with a bold assertion: "His verse was carved in ivory forms, undying / As those that deck the marble Phidian frieze." Gosse links Leconte de Lisle's work to the ancient Greek sculptor Phidias, known for his work on the Parthenon and considered one of the greatest classical artists. The comparison serves two purposes: it immortalizes Leconte de Lisle's work by comparing it to an enduring artifact of antiquity, and it associates him with the high art and classical ideals that both Parnassian and Victorian poets revered.

"A phantom genius from the Cyclades" floats above the poet's "plaintive hearse," suggesting that the very spirit of ancient Greek art and wisdom will guide Leconte de Lisle's soul to an eternal resting place. This spirit is not merely an observer but an active participant in the mourning, hovering "till our idle rites be over," to eventually carry the poet "to islands cinctured by the sun." The phrase "idle rites" reflects a tension between the ephemeral nature of human ceremonies and the timeless virtues the poem seeks to celebrate.

Gosse imagines a paradise where Leconte de Lisle will find himself surrounded by "all the white creatures by his Muse begotten." Here, the work of his life gains living form, turning the poet's imagined creations into an eternal, real assembly. This transformation serves as the ultimate reward for the "dark hours of toil," validating the poet's life and struggle in pursuit of artistic excellence.

The poem's conclusion evokes a sense of contentment and achievement: "Then shall he smile, appeased by sovereign beauty, / Contented that he strove and waited long." Leconte de Lisle's wait and struggle on earth are portrayed as the necessary sacrifices for achieving this divine state, "where loveliness is duty." His works, once "bronze and marble" - lifeless yet enduring materials - now "leap to life and song."

In this compact yet deeply resonant poem, edmund Gosse encapsulates a series of complex themes: the aspiration for eternal artistic significance, the transformative power of artistic creation, and the alignment of one's life with timeless virtues. He does so while evoking classical motifs and crafting a poignant tribute to a fellow poet, articulating an almost transcendental vision of art's ultimate aims and rewards.

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